JP5062750B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming equipment, particularly relates to a networked interrupt printable image forming equipment.

  In a conventional network printer, a network printer is shared by many host computers (hereinafter referred to as hosts) connected to the network. In this case, a plurality of hosts may sequentially issue print requests to one network printer. At that time, if it takes a long time to complete one printing process, the subsequent printing process cannot be performed efficiently. Therefore, for a print request having a high priority, a method of reducing the waiting time of the user by performing interrupt printing during the printing process is employed. In interrupt printing, a save buffer for temporarily saving print data is prepared. When there is a request for interrupt printing, the print data is temporarily saved in the save buffer. The interrupt print data is stored in the reception buffer and printed. After interrupt printing is finished, print data is read from the save buffer and printing is resumed. Some examples of related art related to this will be given below.

  The “printer that determines the print execution order” disclosed in Patent Document 1 automatically determines the order of printing according to the urgency of printing by the user, and prints in order from the most necessary one. Is. This printer is commonly used by a plurality of users on a network. Regardless of the order in which the print commands are issued, printing is executed according to the print priority set by the user. It can also be printed at a specified time. Furthermore, it is possible to execute printing preferentially in response to an interrupt printing signal, or to execute printing in a pre-registered free time zone.

  The “interrupt printing device” disclosed in Patent Document 2 reduces the waiting time of a user who desires subsequent printing by performing interrupt printing. The printer apparatus includes a reception buffer, an image memory, an auxiliary storage image memory, a reception buffer save area, and the like. When there is an instruction for interrupt printing, the print data stored in the reception buffer is saved in the reception buffer saving area, and the interrupt printing process is executed. Execute interrupt printing first to efficiently perform print processing. The print data saved in the reception buffer save area is expanded again in the image memory or directly used for print processing.

The “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 3 allows the user to input the total number of print copies and the number of interrupt print copies when another print is desired during execution of a normal print job. This is executed as an interrupt print job, and the remaining number of copies obtained by subtracting the number of interrupt prints from the total number of prints is reserved as a reserved print job and executed after execution of the current print job. When the interrupt mode is selected and the multiple number of copies are selected during execution of the normal print job, the total number of copies and the number of interrupt prints are input. The number of copies specified by the number of interrupts is interrupted. Printing of the number of copies obtained by subtracting the number of interrupts from the total number of copies is executed after the print job before the interrupt is completed.
JP 2000-272205 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-246811 JP 2001-320528

  However, the conventional interrupt printing method has the following problems. If the buffer capacity is sufficient, all print requests can be received and processed, but if the buffer capacity is limited, only about two print requests can be processed. If another print request is received during interrupt printing, there is no buffer space, so neither reception nor response is possible, and the host cannot know the printer status. In particular, when printing using a protocol that requires bidirectional communication between the host and the printer, the printer cannot receive print data if interrupt printing has occurred and both buffers are already full. Therefore, the command contained in it cannot be interpreted and a response cannot be returned to the host. In such a state, while the buffer on the printer side is full, the host side is in a waiting state until a time-out occurs, so it may appear to the host operator that the printer is stalled.

  This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows that RHPP (Ricoh Host Print Protocol) that requires a response during printing of print data sent by the diprint protocol that does not require a response. It is explanatory drawing when it generate | occur | produces and the request | requirement of printing by RHPP comes during that. Interrupt printing is limited to one level of “high priority” with respect to “normal”. Here, A and B in FIG. 8 show operations when a temporary save buffer and an interrupt transmission / reception buffer are used, respectively.

  8A and 8B, when interrupt printing does not occur, the print data is stored in order in the normal transmission / reception buffer and printed in the order received. When an interrupt print request is received, the print data is stored in the temporary save buffer (in the case of FIG. 8A) or the interrupt transmission / reception buffer (in the case of FIG. 8B), the job being printed is temporarily stopped, and interrupt printing is performed. Do. Whether or not to perform interrupt printing can be determined by viewing the communication I / F (interface) because there is a parameter for determining the priority of the job in the print data parameter. If a further print request is received during interrupt printing, the normal transmission / reception buffer, the temporary save buffer, or the interruption transmission / reception buffer are in use, and therefore print data cannot be received. Therefore, the command cannot be interpreted. In the case of a protocol that requires bidirectional communication, the host continues to wait for a response from the printer.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems so that a response command to a print request can be returned to the host side even during interrupt printing in an image forming apparatus connected to a network and having a limited buffer capacity. .

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes means for receiving print data from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, a first buffer for holding received normal print data, and received interrupt print data. a second buffer for holding a third buffer capable of holding the data during the interrupt printing, interprets the print data stored in the first to third buffer, the response command And a means for transmitting a response command created by the data interpretation means to the information processing apparatus, and the data interpretation means is provided for each of the first to third buffers. And the data interpretation means during the interrupt printing based on the port number designated by the interrupt print data held in the second buffer and the interrupt print data. The interrupt print data held in the second buffer and the print held in the third buffer from the port number designated by the print data held in the third buffer. Means for determining whether the data is print data that requires a response command; interrupt print data held in the second buffer; and print data held in the third buffer that requires a response command When it is determined that the data is data, the third buffer receives a response command for the completion of paper discharge for each page of the interrupt print data and a response command for the print data received during the interrupt print based on the interrupt print data. An image forming apparatus for transmitting the response command written in the third buffer to the information processing apparatus. A.

According to the present invention, have you in the image forming apparatus buffer capacity is limited, even when the print request of the print data required for the response command came in interrupt printing based on the required print data of the response command, the print data Can be received and interpreted , and a response command for paper discharge completion for each page of print data during interrupt printing and a response command for the print data received during interrupt printing can be returned to the host side .

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment of the present invention, when print data is received during interrupt printing, it is stored in a response transmission / reception buffer, a command in the print data is analyzed, and bidirectional exchange with the host is performed. When it is determined that a necessary protocol is used, the image forming apparatus transmits a response command to the host.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1A shows a hardware configuration, and FIG. 1B shows a functional block configuration. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the arrival status of an interrupt print request. FIG. 3 is a timing chart when print data is received by RHPP during interrupt printing. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a protocol that requires bidirectional communication between the host and the image forming apparatus is used. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when print data is received by RHPP during interrupt printing.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a printer is taken as an example of a representative image forming apparatus, but the same applies to a copier, a multifunction machine, and the like. The printer 11 includes an operation panel 13, a controller 14, and an engine 15. The hardware configuration is basically the same as that of a conventional apparatus, and will be described briefly.

  The operation panel 13 is a man-machine interface unit with a user, such as a button, a touch panel, an indicator for displaying device status (display unit such as LED or LCD), a display unit such as a liquid crystal, a speaker, and the like.

  The engine 15 scans a laser beam according to image data and control signals from the controller 14 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, develops it, and feeds paper from a paper feeding unit, and transfers and fixes it. Then, an image is formed. The image forming method of the engine 15 may be any method such as an LED method or an ink jet method.

  The controller 14 is a generic term for control mechanisms that control the engine 15 based on print data from the host 12, and includes a bus 16, a host I / F (interface) 17 connected to the bus 16, and a ROM (Read Only). Memory (18), HDD (hard disk) 19, panel I / F20, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, NV (Non Volatile) -RAM23, engine I / F24, and optional RAM25 Yes.

  The host I / F 17 is an interface for print data from the host 12 to the printer 11 and a response signal from the printer 11 to the host 12. The ROM 18 stores data management in the controller 14, a program for controlling peripheral modules not shown, fonts used for printing, and the like. The HDD 19 stores a large amount of data and files. The panel I / F 20 is a signal interface for switching the state, mode, font, and the like of the printer 11. The CPU 21 processes the print data from the host 12 according to the program stored in the ROM 22. The RAM 22 is used as a work memory when the CPU 21 performs processing, a buffer that temporarily stores print data from the host 12, a bitmap memory that stores image data converted from the print data stored in the buffer, and the like. The NV-RAM 23 is a non-volatile memory for storing data that is to be retained even when the apparatus is turned off. The engine I / F 24 is an interface for a control signal from the controller 14 to the engine 15 and a status signal from the engine 15 to the controller 14. The option RAM 25 is an expansion memory that stores data other than the data stored in the RAM 22 and the NV-RAM 23, respectively.

  In FIG. 1B, the data processing unit 1 is means for performing overall control, image formation control, and the like by the CPU 21 of FIG. 1A and the program in the ROM 18. The drawing unit 2 is means for performing processing (drawing processing) for converting print data described in PDL (Page Description Language) into image data in a bitmap format. The drawing buffer 3 is a memory that temporarily holds the print data read from the transmission / reception buffer 5. The data interpretation unit 4 is means for interpreting commands and data held in the transmission / reception buffer 5. The transmission / reception buffer 5 is a memory that temporarily stores print data and response commands. The communication control unit 6 is means for communicating with the host 12 via a network. The LAN 7 is a network for connecting to the host 12. The print control unit 8 is means for controlling the engine 15.

  FIG. 1B shows that three transmission / reception buffers 5 and three data interpretation units 4 corresponding thereto are provided. Here, the three transmission / reception buffers 5 are a transmission / reception buffer for normal printing, a transmission / reception buffer for interrupt printing, and a transmission / reception buffer for response. However, the three transmission / reception buffers 5 are functional and do not necessarily mean three hardware memories. Further, even when there are a plurality of priority levels for interrupt printing, a plurality of interrupt printing transmission / reception buffers 5 are provided. The reason for providing a data interpretation unit for each transmission / reception buffer is that the design is simpler than when one data interpretation unit interprets print data. The three data interpretation units 4 are also functional, and one reentrant module may be operated as three in a time division manner.

  In the following example, RHPP is used as a protocol for printing while bidirectionally communicating between the host 12 and the printer 11, and diprint is used as a protocol for performing printing without bidirectional communication between the host 12 and the printer 11. explain. diprint is a protocol that does not require bidirectional communication between the host 12 and the printer 11. RHPP is a protocol that requires bidirectional communication between the host 12 and the printer 11. When performing the printing process, the command in the print data from the host 12 is analyzed, and the printing process is performed while notifying the host of the discharge completion for each page by a response command. There are various types of response commands, such as successful acquisition of the apparatus and completion of drawing, in addition to the notification of paper discharge completion.

  The communication control unit 6 determines the protocol distinction from the port number specified in the print data received by the printer 11. If it is a specific port number, it is treated as an RHPP protocol, and the data interpretation unit 4 that interprets the RHPP command interprets the print data present in the transmission / reception buffer 5. The data interpretation unit 4 interprets the print data sent by RHPP and writes a response command in the transmission / reception buffer 5. Since the RHPP command is included in the print data sent by RHPP, the print buffer from which the RHPP command is removed is stored in the drawing buffer 3 that exchanges data between the data interpretation unit 4 and the drawing unit 2. It is passed as print data that can be interpreted by the drawing unit 2. The drawing unit 2 performs drawing processing based on the print data, and causes the engine 15 to execute printing through the print control unit 8. By placing the data interpretation unit 4 in front of the drawing unit 2, the drawing unit 2 does not have to analyze RHPP command data that is not necessary for drawing. That is, the conventional operation is sufficient. The data interpretation unit 4 plays a role of creating a response command and passing the data obtained by removing the RHPP command from the print data to the drawing unit 2.

  Interrupt printing is limited to one level of “high priority” with respect to “normal”. When interrupt printing is in progress, no further interrupts can be made, so a print request is not accepted regardless of the priority setting. However, in the case of RHPP, since it is necessary to return a response command to the host 12, print data is stored in the response transmission / reception buffer 5. The print data is interpreted by the data interpretation unit 4, a response command to be returned to the host 12 is written in the response transmission / reception buffer 5, and the response command is returned to the host 12 through the communication control unit 6. Before writing the response command, the data interpretation unit 4 checks the interrupt printing transmission / reception buffer 5 and determines whether or not the interrupt printing is finished. At this time, if printing is still in progress, a response command for notifying the busy state is written in the response transmission / reception buffer 5. If printing has ended, a response command indicating that the command has been normally received is written in the response transmission / reception buffer 5. If the priority is high, the response transmission / reception buffer 5 is used as it is, and interrupt printing is started. If the priority is normal, the print data is received after switching to the normal transmission / reception buffer 5 after the next communication.

  One specific transmission / reception buffer 5 is not always used for normal printing. Similarly, the other transmission / reception buffers 5 are not fixed as interrupt printing buffers or response buffers. Since the transmission / reception buffer 5 is allocated from the empty one, the specific transmission / reception buffer 5 is not always a response buffer. Depending on the situation, one transmission / reception buffer 5 is used for normal use, another transmission / reception buffer 5 is used for interrupt printing, and another transmission / reception buffer 5 is used for response. The communication control unit 6 determines the role of which transmission / reception buffer 5 is to be used by looking at the usage status of each transmission / reception buffer 5. Even when one memory is appropriately divided and used as each buffer, it is allowed to use most of the normal printing buffer and there may be a shortage of interrupt printing buffers. Since it is not allowed that a response cannot be made due to a shortage of response, a response buffer area is reserved with priority. In this way, a small buffer memory is used effectively.

  Next, a process when print data is received during interrupt printing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, when print data is sent by the diprint protocol, it is stored in the normal transmission / reception buffer 5. The drawing unit 2 reads the print data from the normal transmission / reception buffer 5 and performs drawing processing. During the rendering process, as shown in FIG. 2B, when high-priority print data is received by RHPP, it is stored in the interrupt transmission / reception buffer 5. Since the data interpretation unit 4 interprets the command and performs interrupt printing, the print data is written in the drawing buffer 3 and the drawing unit 2 performs drawing processing. In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 2C, when print data is received by RHPP, it is stored in the response transmission / reception buffer 5, the command is interpreted by the data interpretation unit 4, and the response command is written in the response transmission / reception buffer 5. .

  Next, a processing procedure when print data is received by RHPP during interrupt printing will be described with reference to FIG. When the communication control unit 6 receives the print data in (1), the communication control unit 6 checks the transmission / reception buffer 5 in (2). It is checked whether print data is written in the two transmission / reception buffers 5 to determine whether interrupt printing is in progress. If interrupt printing is in progress, the print data is written in the response transmission / reception buffer 5 in (3), and the data interpretation unit 4 is notified that the print data has been received in (4). The data interpretation unit 4 reads the print data from the transmission / reception buffer 5 in (5), and checks whether interrupt printing is in progress in (6). If interrupt printing has been completed, processing for normal print request or interrupt print request is performed, and processing is performed according to the priority setting. If interrupt printing is in progress, the data interpretation unit 4 writes the response command in the response transmission / reception buffer 5 in (7). The communication control unit 6 notifies the host in (8).

  Next, an overall processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG. This is an example in which a protocol typified by RHPP that requires bidirectional communication between the host 12 and the printer 11 is used. If the protocol does not require bidirectional communication between the host 12 and the printer 11, it is only necessary to send print data to the printer 11. If no interrupt printing occurs, all printing is performed in the normal transmission / reception buffer 5. Store the data. Since interrupt printing is performed for only one job, only one job is stored in the transmission / reception buffer 5 for interrupt printing. The normal transmission / reception buffer 5 can be queued until its capacity is full. In addition, the analyzed print data does not need to be saved basically, so that the analyzed print data can be vacated as soon as the analysis is completed. The print data stored in the response transmission / reception buffer 5 is erased immediately after the response command is returned to release the response transmission / reception buffer 5 so that the next print data can be received at any time. By releasing immediately, it is possible to always respond even with a small amount of buffer memory.

  In step 1, print data is received. In step 2, the protocol is determined from the port number. In step 3, it is checked whether all three transmission / reception buffers 5 are free. If all three are available, the print data is stored in the normal transmission / reception buffer 5 in step 4. If only one or two are free, it is checked in step 5 whether interrupt printing is to be performed. If interrupt printing is not performed, the print data is stored in the normal transmission / reception buffer 5 in step 4. If interrupt printing is to be performed, it is checked in step 6 whether two transmission / reception buffers 5 are available. If two are available, the print data is stored in the interrupt printing transmission / reception buffer 5 in step 7. If only one is available, the print data is stored in the response transmission / reception buffer 5 in step 8. In step 9, the print data is analyzed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a processing procedure when print data is received by RHPP during interrupt printing (details of processing when No in step 6 in FIG. 4) is described. In step 11, the print data is stored in the response transmission / reception buffer 5. After reading by the data interpretation unit 4, the print data in the transmission / reception buffer 5 is overwritten with a specific value (for example, -1) so that it can be determined whether or not the print data remains. In step 12, it is checked whether or not interrupt printing has been completed. If interrupt printing has been completed, a response command indicating that the command has been received is written in the response transmission / reception buffer 5 in step 13 as usual. If interrupt printing has not been completed, a response command indicating that it is busy is written in the response transmission / reception buffer 5 in step 14. In step 15, a response command is returned to the host 12.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus receives print data during interrupt printing, the print data is stored in the response transmission / reception buffer 5 and the command in the print data is analyzed. When RHPP is used, the response command is transmitted to the host 12, so that the command can be interpreted and responded to the host 12 even during interrupt printing.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration by software of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The hardware configuration of this image forming apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is obtained by adding a data analysis unit 9 to the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The data analysis unit 8 has functions for acquiring device information and setting printing conditions by analyzing commands described in PJL (Print Job Language).

  Print data is input to the communication control unit 6 through the LAN 7 from a host (not shown). The communication control unit 6 determines the protocol from the port number specified by the received print data. If it is a specific port number, it is treated as an RHPP protocol, and the data interpreter 4 that interprets the RHPP command interprets the data present in the transmission / reception buffer 5.

  The data interpretation unit 4 interprets the print data sent by RHPP and writes a response command in the transmission / reception buffer 5. Since RHPP commands are included in the print data sent by RHPP, the RHPP commands are sent to the drawing buffer 3 that exchanges data with the data interpretation unit 4, the data analysis unit 9, and the drawing unit 2. The extracted data is stored and transferred as print data that can be interpreted by the data analysis unit 9 and the drawing unit 2.

  The data analysis unit 9 analyzes printing conditions and the like based on the print data. The drawing unit 2 performs drawing based on the print data, and causes the engine (not shown) to execute printing through the print control unit 8.

  As described above, the data interpretation unit 4 for analyzing RHPP commands and the data analysis unit 9 for analyzing PJL commands have similar functions. When printing reliability is required in a mission critical system or the like, it is easy to ensure reliability by performing bidirectional communication between the host and the printer as in RHPP and performing printing while checking the situation. On the other hand, in normal office operations, RHPP is not purposely used because only PJL is sufficient.

  Further, since the functions of the data interpretation unit 4 and the data analysis unit 9 overlap, it is conceivable that the function of the data analysis unit 9 is invalidated and only the data interpretation unit 4 operates. In this case, since redundant functions can be omitted, waste can be eliminated. As a method of invalidating the data analysis unit 9, the buffer for writing the result of the data analysis by the data analysis unit 9 is a dummy buffer, so that the processing of the data analysis unit 9 is not significantly changed. A method of invalidating the data analysis unit 9 can be mentioned. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating this method.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step 21, the communication control unit 6 receives data to be analyzed. In step 22, the data interpretation unit 4 determines whether RHPP is valid, that is, whether RHPP printing is performed. If it is determined to be valid, the data interpretation unit 4 secures a dummy area in the drawing buffer 3 for writing the analysis result by the data analysis unit 9 in step 23. Next, in step 24, the data interpretation unit 4 changes the transmission / reception buffer 5 for writing the analysis result by the data analysis unit 9 to a dummy transmission / reception buffer.

  In step 25, the data analysis unit 9 analyzes the data, and in step 26, writes the analysis result in the dummy transmission / reception buffer. Since the dummy transmission / reception buffer is a buffer for writing data that is not actually used, the written data is not transmitted to the host.

  On the other hand, it is possible to adopt an operation method in which the data interpretation unit 4 coexists with the data analysis unit 9 left. In this case, when the system of only the data analyzing unit 9 is to be replaced with the system of the data interpreting unit 4, the data analyzing unit 9 is left so that the function of the data analyzing unit 9 is used together. There is an advantage that the RHPP system can be developed step by step.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an arrival status of an interrupt print request of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a timing chart when print data is received by RHPP during interrupt printing of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of processing when a protocol that requires bidirectional communication between the image forming apparatus and the host according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used. 6 is a flowchart of processing when print data is received by RHPP during interrupt printing of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the functional block of the image forming apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the method of invalidating the data analysis part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the conventional interruption printing.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data processing part, 2 ... Drawing part, 3 ... Drawing buffer, 4 ... Data interpretation part, 5 ... Transmission / reception buffer, 6 ... Communication control part, 7 ... LAN , 8... Print control unit, 9... Data analysis unit.

Claims (5)

Means for receiving print data from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, a first buffer for holding received normal print data, and a second for holding interrupt print data received a buffer, a third buffer capable of holding the data during the interrupt printing, and the first through interprets the print data stored in the third buffer, data interpretation means for creating a response command, And a means for transmitting a response command created by the data interpretation means to the information processing apparatus ,
The data interpretation means is provided for each of the first to third buffers,
The data interpretation means is received during interrupt printing based on the port number specified by the interrupt print data held in the second buffer and the interrupt print data, and is stored in the third buffer. From the port number specified by the held print data, the interrupt print data held in the second buffer and the print data held in the third buffer are print data that requires a response command. And when determining that the interrupt print data held in the second buffer and the print data held in the third buffer are print data required for a response command, A response command for the completion of paper discharge for each page of the interrupt print data and a response command for the print data received during the interrupt print based on the interrupt print data Comprising a means for writing the buffer,
The image forming apparatus that transmits the response command written in the third buffer to the information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus Ru comprising a means for confirming whether an interrupt printing is completed before sending the response command to the information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus comprising means for releasing the third buffer immediately after transmitting the response command. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that secures the third buffer even when a buffer memory becomes small . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
If the print data received during the interrupt printing and held in the third buffer is interpreted as unnecessary print data for the response command, the information processing device of the third buffer a region for storing the dummy data is not transmitted, the image forming apparatus comprising means Ru is holding the response command.

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